A ‘wonderful’ send off planned for tragic son
NEAL KEELING
THE father of a talented teenage footballer who died suddenly has promised a ‘wonderful’ send off for ‘the best son you could ever have’.
Youth and first team players from Accrington Stanley are expected at the funeral of academy player Jordan Moseley.
The 15-year-old’s funeral will take place on Friday, November 3, at St Peter’s RC Church, Middleton.
Jordan’s death has left his parents, Gary and Tracey, and older brother, Christopher, devastated.
Gary said: “He was the best son you could ever have had. We spent every minute of every day together.
“I never missed any of his training sessions. He used to say to me ‘you don’t have to be here dad’ but I always was, in the rain, and cold. It didn’t matter. I’m lost without him.”
Jordan was recently being coached by Willie Donachie, a Manchester City legend, who joined Accrington’s back room staff and is a hero of Gary’s.
Speaking of the funeral Gary added: “Jordan will be wearing a replica of his full red Accrington Stanley kit, and a Manchester City scarf. His original Stanley kit is too precious to part with. He was an old fash- ioned left winger, but right footed.
“Playing for Heyside he scored 29 goals in the Tameside league and won the golden boot, which was a remarkable achievement as he was playing as a midfielder at the time.
“Not long after that Accrington made a move for him. After four weeks at the club they offered him a scholarship and full contract. We have been moved by the things said about him by his coaches at other clubs. Now we intend to give him the most wonderful funeral we can.”
A funeral procession will be led by a carriage drawn by two horses and Jordan’s casket will be bedecked in Manchester City colours. The service will be from 12.30pm.
Players from Accrington’s under 16s squad will attend along with the youth team that Jordan was playing for, and first team players have also been invited.
Glowing tributes have been paid to Jordan by Stanley, plus junior Oldham teams, Chadderton Park, Heyside, and AFC Oldham.
He died suddenly at the family home on Tuesday, October 17.
AN inquest into Jordan’s death has been opened and adjourned.
Tracy Bunn, a police coroners officer, told the hearing at Rochdale Coroners Court that Jordan was ‘found unresponsive’ by his mum and dad after they returned home from their son’s parents’ evening.
North Manchester assistant coroner Peter Sigee said he was awaiting a full police statement and a report from Jordan’s doctor. No cause of death was revealed.
A provisional date for a full inquest was fixed for April 10 next year.